City Council supports parking plan; vote pending

By Lyle Moran, lmoran@lowellsun.com

Updated:
02/27/2013 06:40:31 AM EST

LOWELL -- Most city councilors voiced support Tuesday night for a proposed $2 million loan order for new parking-meter kiosks, but the council voted 7-2 to delay a final decision on the borrowing until its next meeting so some councilors could gather more information about the proposal.

The loan order would allow the city to purchase and install 172 new kiosks, which would be placed primarily near the Tsongas Center at UMass Lowell and LeLacheur Park. The kiosks would allow the city to better manage parking in that area, including producing a quicker turnover of parking spaces, and produce additional revenue, said City Manager Bernie Lynch.

Councilor Bill Martin said before voting on the loan he wanted to find out whether businesses in the Wannalancit Mills and the surrounding area would want parking spaces with kiosks that would turn over quickly.

"I'm not sure all the businesses in the area would agree they want retail turnover," Martin said.

Some councilors also raised questions about the city's plan to reduce Father Morissette Boulevard to one lane of traffic in each direction instead of two and add 156 new parking spaces, as well as new kiosks, to the street. Turn lanes would be maintained at intersections and bike lanes would be added.

Lynch said the city was following the recommendation for Father Morissette in urban planner Jeff Speck's "Downtown Evolution Plan.

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However, Councilor Ed Kennedy said he was under the impression that Speck did not call for the addition of parking spaces in his plan and wanted Speck's plan clarified. He urged the council not to rush to a final decision on the loan order.

"It is a $2 million loan order," Kennedy said. "It is not something we are just trying out on a trial basis."

Councilor Rodney Elliott raised concerns about the traffic impact of reducing the travel lanes on Father Morissette Boulevard. He said there is a "major traffic problem" when people go to and from Lowell High School in the morning and afternoon.

Assistant City Manager Adam Baacke said Father Morissette could handle having two fewer travel lanes because with two lanes in each direction, the roadway is utilizing only 60 percent to 75 percent of the capacity it could handle at peak times.

Lorrey said he has not seen any traffic issues on Father Morissette Boulevard, even after UMass Lowell hockey games. He also said it would be unfair to business owners downtown if the city keeps the area around Wannalancit Mills without kiosks.

"I think you are screwing the business people in the downtown and the (Jackson-Appleton-Middlesex Streets) area, if you don't do this," Lorrey said.

The only member of the public to speak during Tuesday's public hearing spoke in opposition to the loan order.

James Welch of Lowell, who worked for the city's former parking contractor, said before the city purchases more kiosks it should look into purchasing higher-quality devices, rather than "economy" models.

Lynch said the city is looking for the best model it can get within its budget.

In other business Tuesday, the council:

* Approved Kennedy's motion requesting Lynch appoint or re-appoint two members to the Lowell Memorial Auditorium Board of Trustees.

* Approved Nuon's motion requesting Lynch provide a breakdown of the current diversity within the Police Department for both officers and command staff and further report efforts to continue diversifying the police force in the newest recruiting class of the Police Academy.

* Approved Lorrey's motion requesting Lynch prepare a report for the council regarding estimate of total costs of snow removal and possible reimbursements from state or federal agencies.

* Approved Lorrey's motion requesting Lynch have the proper department track the number of prisoners released due to the state drug-lab scandal and track any costs associated with retrying those prisoners due to the scandal for possible reimbursement.

* Approved Councilor John Leahy's motion requesting Lynch prepare a report concerning the removal of trash from the downtown area.

* Approved Kennedy's motion requesting the mayor prepare a proclamation for Brynn Geary in recognition of her performance of the national anthem to open Winterfest 2013.

* Approved an out-of-state travel request for a member of the fire investigation unit to attend an interview and interrogation technique seminar March 19-21.

* Sent to a March 12 public hearing an ordinance to create a full-time animal control compliance officer position with a salary range of $45,627 to $53,511.

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